ADVICE! HELP! $450 WHAT TO GET?!

[Dr. V]

CURRENT SYSTEM

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 @ 2.8 (doesn't wanna go anymore no matter what - i have a feeling the RAM is holding it back quite a bit) @ 1.57 VCore w/ZALMAN CNPS7700
ASUS P5B Deluxe
1x1GB SAMSUNG DDR2-533 RAM
DVD Burner 18x LG
160GB WD HDD SATA
BFG 7900GS 256MB 256-bit
480-watt "ORION" PSU -- pretty sure its generic, maybe a touch better, but doing the job more than well, im good with it now until my DX10 and 4GB upgrade in a few months, when ill go with a GXS 850W, or a 1KW monster, we'll see.

$450 cash and i don't know what to do with it. frankly, im confused.

side note:

i want to overclock my CPU, but im getting 2.8 with a C2D E6300. i have a ZALMAN CNPS7700, which MAY be the problem (spinning at 1900RPM) but im not sure it is -- 120mm huge fan. temps are fairly good, everything's stable [400*7] but there is absolutely NO going higher. if it's the cooler, im all for getting an amazing one that i can push this thing with -- unless it just doesnt wanna go. im not sure i wanna dump money into another cooler if i cant get at LEAST 3.2 out of this thing -- it just wont be worth it. i have a P5B Deluxe motherboard *love it* and its extremely overclock-friendly. im pretty sure my RAM is really holding thins thing's power back. i want to unleash it, and im welcome to ANY suggestions on OC improvements be it my method, be it better hardware, anything. thank you!

if there are any suggestions for that above, let me know.

now i've been looking into the Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade as well.

CICC

great deal up there considering FS/BB has it for $179.99 and all sold out for now.

how about one of these and recycle my 1GB in a new system for my sister (maybe she'll get off my case finally):

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...67&cid=RAM.475

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...21&cid=RAM.475


http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...22&cid=RAM.475

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...579&CatId=2368 (from TigerDirect, other are from Canada Computers)

i can get away with one of those sets and vista, max would be $460 taxes in with the 900MHz RAM set.

this mouse looks extremely tempting

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...418&cid=PE.124

howz the one step lower brother -- good for PC gaming?

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...=011238&cid=PE

i need a new laser mouse anyway, so this would be a good opportunity, but thats a bit pricey. how is the 2000dpi wired flavor:

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...118&cid=PE.124

Water Cooling?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...458&CatId=1057

there are so many things i could use, and im only open for suggestions, configurations, different hardware, useful upgrades, smart spending.

KEEP IN MIND:

I ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT A DOUBT have to have 2GB of RAM at the end of it, no matter which way it happens with another stick of 1GB samsung, or a brand new kit, it has to happen.

p.s. CICC Computers is where i do 90% of my hardware shopping. usually, prices u see here i can get a touch cheaper there, but nothing huge so go by what's posted as a reference, and use the Canada Computers website, or http://www.tigerdirect.ca/ for references and suggestions! thanks!

this thread is now open for everyone to bask in. enjoy.

TIA!

[Capper]

thats a lot of voltage on that E6300, I've had mine to 3.08GHz on 1.33V.....try not to exceed 1.5V on air cooling for prolonged usage.

OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
FSP Group FX700-GLN ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Quad. SLI Power Supply
Thermaltake CL-P0114 CPU Cooler with Heatsink

$433 with sipping, before $43 in rebates....so a total of $390.....

I'm sure someone here in the states could help you buy through the egg and ship to Canada.

As to the rest, you always want to prioritize, and I'd definitely put Vista at the bottom of the list when it comes to priorities, at least for the next couple of months until the bugs are worked out. Memory, PSU, then cooling.........then worry about the rest

[fps justin]

Originally Posted by Capper

thats a lot of voltage on that E6300, I've had mine to 3.08GHz on 1.33V.....try not to exceed 1.5V on air cooling for prolonged usage.

Caps is right! 1.5 is WAY TOO HIGH for a C2D.

I'd spend the money on a new PSU and a new kit of ram. 2gig kit of DDR 800.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by fps justin

Caps is right! 1.5 is WAY TOO HIGH for a C2D.

I'd spend the money on a new PSU and a new kit of ram. 2gig kit of DDR 800.

its my RAM man i know it. it has to be my RAM holding me back.

in terms of cooling, is my HS good enuff?

im getting wierd temps for a C2D im not sure -- its odd - check this out.

AI Suite Screen Shot

helpp?

in any case, thats a side note so i still dont mind comments on that. PMs would be good too, either or.

thanks.

p.s. in BIOS i chose 1.625 for CPU voltage, but thats what it always shows in AI Suite...

i'm so confused with this thing it should be <35-ish idle and <55-ish load. HS problem? i've no clue!

[Capper]

I'll never deal with Tiger Direct again. I've found their advertising and policies to be less than honest........place an order for something, then watch it go on backorder the next day, and take a month to get to you.
Stick with ZZF or Newegg.

I honestly think you definitely need to lower the VCore and get a better cooler on that processor.....you are really pushing that thing too much

Memory, PSU, then cooling.........then worry about the rest later

[Dr. V]

hmm alright then what a waste of $50 on this cooler i guess?

I still don't get it...the RAM must be holding it back so much that the cooling isnt making a diff cuz I gotta push the VCore making it hotter.

I'm gonna run it at stock for a bit, see the patterns and stuff, get that new RAM in there, then experiment some more.

lets see this setup:

Canada Computers - Your Neighbourhood Computer Store and Service Centre - PC Systems and Hardware Components, Notebooks, Electronics, and more.

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...22&cid=RAM.475

Canada Computers - Your Neighbourhood Computer Store and Service Centre - PC Systems and Hardware Components, Notebooks, Electronics, and more.

=right about $530

its $80 above my budget, but if i can find the extra cash its worth it.

what i'll probably do is get the RAM+HEATSINK first, for the better overclocking combo there.

OR

should i get RAM+PSU first?

I'm thinking HEATSINK first, then an even better PSU in the very near future, like this one:

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...959&cid=PS.808

or this one:

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...918&cid=PS.808

cuz i dont need one terribly at the moment, but it is a good upgrade when i can do it.

i wanna go big cuz soon, very soon, I'm gonna have 4GB RAM when the new DX10 cards come out from ATI along with DX10 itself, which is why i was considering Vista. Vista will be a later upgrade, for now hardware is key so i can actually support everything completely flawlessly.

thoughts?

[Capper]

Honestly, go with what I recommended, that WC kit is not what you want or need, and a good high end air cooled solution like the Big Typhoon will even work better......
MEMORY, PSU, COOLING

Also, please hyperlink stuff, because the links you are posting for some reason are coming out all the same, list the parts you want and hyperlink them

[Quakindude]

Dude, you need to listen to what's already been said. Especially about your voltage. Check out this page for info on your CPU. It has a max voltage of 1.3525v. I run my C2D E6600 @ 3.3Ghz on air using a Zalman CNPS9500 and 1.375 as the voltage setting, which after the voltage droop, gives me 1.345v. Your temps, as reported by Asus, are higher. Check out TAT for the temperatures (click on tat.exe on the upper left-hand side of that page). I bet your running in the 50's for idle and maybe into the 70's for loaded with that cooler and your CPU at that voltage.

Your ram may be holding you back, but if you're using a divider, you can overclock the CPU independently of the Ram. I'm not familiar with that boards Bios, so you'll need to do some research about it. If you're using the Windows based App to overclock, that could be why you're not getting higher overclocks. Always overclock from the Bios.

Finally, realize that every CPU is different. 2.8Ghz may be the highest you'll get out of that CPU.

What ever you decide to do, lower that voltage before you fry your processor.

[One4yu2c]

Mostly reiterating what's already been said, but here goes:

1) Lower the vCore. That's too high and it's the main reason for your above average temperature.

2) Analyze your temperature with the vCore at stock settings to see if you need to invest in a better heatsink/fan or not. If so, also don't forget a tube of quality thermal paste (I recommend and use Arctic Silver 5).

3) I would definitely look at replacing that RAM, especially since you want 2GB anyway. Stay away from the generic stuff, and invest in some quality DDR2-800. The kit of RAM you have linked is good stuff, though I'd personally shell out the extra $5 for this Platinum Kit with tighter timings and better chips, particularly with overclocking in mind.

4) Get yourself a quality power supply. Looking at what's available on Canada Computers, consider this Antec Trio 650w ($139.99), OCZ GameXstream 600w ($129.99), or for a modular solution, this Corsair HX620 ($164.99 after rebate).

5) Pocket the remaining funds or shell out for a better heatsink/fan, if necessary. Pat yourself on the back and call it a day.

[Dr. V]

i lowered it to 1.3875 in the BIOS, giving me 1.36 final at still 2.8 and its been stable.

i always OC from the bios, and the divider im not sure i can alter that in my BIOS unless i just cant find the damn thing.

in any case, im gona drop my voltage more, see what it can do at the specified max voltage on the intel site (after the drop) and take it from there.

im probably gona be getting the Big Typhoon, or MAYBE the CNPS9700 im not wanna look at performance/best cooling wise. that 9700 has a 110mm fan vs the typhoon's 120mm, but it spins at 2800rpm!

in any case, i've decided that i really like that Platinum Revision 2 XTC RAM posted One4yu2c and i'm gona pick that up soon.

also, im probably gona go with the 700W GameXStream.

1.14 (281.99 + 159.99) = 503.86

thats not bad at all, and for the extra $30 i think its worth the bump from 600W to 700W.

as for the cooling

it's at </=35 now, 2.8GHz (400*7) and the fan is spinning 1900RPM, 1.36VCore according to AI Suite

im gona see how far it will take me with the new stuff, and from there i will accordingly either upgrade or not in terms of cooling.